This project will teach you the basics of analytical chemistry, which is a must for students who want to go into chemistry or materials science. The molecules in objects we see all around us are constantly attracting each other. Different materials can be attracted or repelled depending upon their molecular structure. We can utilize the different attractive forces between substances to separate a mixture of compounds. Chromatography is a method to separate mixtures and identify each compound in…
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Chem_p009

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Time Required

Short (2-5 days)

Prerequisites

None

Material Availability

Filter paper can be purchased from the [# Link Name="PlantBio_p035.1" Value="HtmlAnchor" #].

Are all reds the same? Find out in this science fair project! Investigate if the pigments in one type of red flower are different from those in another type of red flower. Flowers contain an assortment of amazing chemicals that produce color. In this plant biology science fair project, you will analyze the colored pigments in different plants' red flower petals using paper chromatography, and compare the pigments in the different flowers.
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PlantBio_p035

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Time Required

Short (2-5 days)

Prerequisites

None

Material Availability

Filter paper can be purchased from the [# Link Name="PlantBio_p035.1" Value="HtmlAnchor" #].

Cost

Low ($20 - $50)

Safety

You will be working with isopropyl alcohol. Adult supervision is recommended

Have you ever looked at sunlight through a prism? If so, you know that the prism can separate the sunlight into many different colors of light — a rainbow. Like sunlight, chemical mixtures can also be broken into their component parts. One way of doing this is a simple technique called paper chromatography. What do you think you will see if you use paper chromatography to look at the components of black ink? Is black ink just black? Find out for yourself!
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Chem_p008

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Time Required

Short (2-5 days)

Prerequisites

None

Material Availability

A kit is available from the [# Link Name="FoodSci_p006.7" Value="HtmlAnchor" #].

Quick, what is your favorite color of M&Ms® candy? Do you want to know what dyes were used to make that color? Check out this science project to find out how you can do some scientific detective work to find out for yourself.
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FoodSci_p006

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Time Required

Short (2-5 days)

Prerequisites

None

Material Availability

A kit is available from the [# Link Name="FoodSci_p006.7" Value="HtmlAnchor" #].

What color is grape soda? If you pour it into a clear glass you can easily see it is purple, but that is usually not its natural color. Manufacturers add red and blue dye to the soda. The dyes mix together and you get purple soda. What if you wanted to un-mix the dyes, could you? Yes! In a chemistry laboratory, using a technique called column chromatography, you could separate the two dyes again. But what about at home, can you use low-tech supplies to do the same thing? In this science…
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BioChem_p045

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Time Required

Average (6-10 days)

Prerequisites

None

Material Availability

Syringes (without needles) and Space Sand need to be specially ordered. See the Materials and Equipment list for details.

Cost

Low ($20 - $50)

Safety

Use caution and follow all safety warnings when handling and using the 70% isopropyl alcohol. The alcohol is highly flammable. Do not swallow, and avoid any contact with eyes.

Have you ever wondered what makes water 'bead' up on a freshly waxed car? In this project you'll investigate the chemistry of surface tension by measuring how many drops of water a penny can hold. What happens if you add salt or detergent to the water?
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Everyone loves the beautiful colors of fall, but where do they come from and how does the change in colors happen? In this project, you will uncover the hidden colors of fall by separating plant pigments with paper chromatography. What colors will you see?
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Chlorophyll is a natural pigment found in green plants. It is the primary pigment that absorbs light energy from the sun for photosynthesis. This energy is then used by the plant to synthesize glucose from carbon dioxide and water. Chlorophyll in the leaves of plants can be extracted and separated using chromatography. A good source of chlorophyll for an extraction is a dark green leafy vegetable like spinach. Rub a fresh spinach leaf on the bottom of a strip of filter paper. You can get a…
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PlantBio_p020

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Time Required

Average (6-10 days)

Prerequisites

None

Material Availability

The page on [# ProjectGuide Name="Advanced.PaperChromatographyResources" Value="HtmlAnchor" #] lists the best papers and solvents for chromatography. The paper needs to be specially ordered and is available from the [# Link Name="PlantBio_p035.1" Value="HtmlAnchor" #].

Cost

Low ($20 - $50)

Safety

The solvents, like acetone or alcohol, for paper chromatography should be used in well-ventilated areas. Adult supervision is recommended.

You have probably heard the saying that "water and electricity don't mix." Well, in this chemistry science fair project you will mix them, to create two solutions, one basic and one acidic. The apparatus is very simple, but the chemistry is complex and offers many avenues for exploration.
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Chem_p087

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Time Required

Average (6-10 days)

Prerequisites

You should know what the pH scale is, and what current and voltage measure in a circuit.

Material Availability

A pH meter is required for this project. See the Materials and Equipment list for details.

Cost

Average ($50 - $100)

Safety

Minor injury is possible. Be careful not to short out the battery, as it may get very hot.

The movement of satellites is intriguing, but how do they orbit the way they do? Aerospace engineers run calculations and set up computer models to help them predict how satellites move in space, but in this astronomy science project, you will create a physical model with marbles, clay, and a cookie sheet to help you study how satellites move in space and learn from your observations.
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You can find this page online at: http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/search.shtml?v=solt&pi=Chem_p010

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